Electric connecter device



Nov. 12, 1935. w. J, WINNINGHOFF v 2,020,712

' I ELECTRIC. CONNEG'IER mzv ca ori in-a1 FiledFeb'. 19, 1932 mlggmon W TI'ORY Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES 2,020,112 I nnno'rmo ooNNsc'rnn DEVICE Wilford JI. Winninghoif, South Orange, N. 1., assignor to General Electric Vapor Lamp Company, Hoboken, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Original application February 19, 1932, Serial No. 594,115. Divided and this application January 25, 1933, Serial No. 653,354

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to an electrical terminal or connector device.

The invention consists in structure and combination of elements, as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a suitable terminal or connection for use with a gaseous discharge device or the like. A further object of the invention is to provide a terminal having no live parts exposed. Another object of my invention is to provide a terminal which is extremely simple and inexpensive. Still other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following detailed specification, or from an inspection of the accompanying drawing. 7

For many purposes, such as in connecting leads to gaseous discharge devices, there is need for a terminal which can be easily attached, and yet which will have no live parts exposed. A further requirement for these terminals is that they must be simple and relatively inexpensive. I have now discovered an extremely simple terminal which fully meets all of these requirements. This novel terminal hasv a screw threaded sleeve which is free to revolve on the associated conductor, the various parts being united in a novel manner.

. For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown a preferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, in part section, of a mercury vapor lamp to which the various leads are attached by means of my novel terminal,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion .of the arc tube, showing a terminal attached to one of the leads, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the insulated terminals used on the leads.

As shown in the drawing the lamp consists of three main units; an arc tube I, a reflector 2, and an auxiliary unit 3. I there is a spherical bulb 4 containing a pool of mercury 8 which comprises the cathode, A-

screw cap (not shown) attached to the top of said bulb 4 is in electrical connection with said cathode, while a second screw cap (not shown) which is likewise attached to said bulb l is electrically connected with the usual tinfoil sheath or starting band. At the opposite end of the arc tube i there are a. pair of spherical anode chambers it which are connected through relatively constricted passages with the arc tube. A screw cap i9 is attached to each of these chambers, said capseach being electrically connected with an anode l1. Said screw caps l3 and the previously mentioned screw caps, which are connected to the cathode and the starting'band, each have a' the new and novel are connected to the I While I have sions, within the scope At one end of said are tube socket or terminal 21' screwed thereon. Leads extend from each of said terminals 21 to suitable points within the auxiliary unit 3.

As shown in detail in Fig. 3 the sockets or terminals 21 each comprise a moulded housing 33 5 of Bakelite or the like, within which there is afflxed a threaded sleeve 34: The insulated lead wire 35 extends through a tubular part of the housing 33, the end thereof being stripped and soldered to a contact making member 36 which 10 fits within the end of the sleeve 34. A flanged sleeve 31 is crimped clown onto said lead just outside of the housing "33, whereby the various parts of the socket are locked in place, while a similar flanged sleeve 38, reversed, extends into 15 the tubular part of said housing, and serves as a bushing to permit free rotation of said housing 33 and sleeve 34 on said lead 35. These sockets are easily attached, and fully insulate all live parts of the arctube l. Even more important, 2 however, is the fact that the sockets 21 which caps is also serve to ms;- the escape of heat from the anodechambers ll, with the result that these chambers operate at a temperature which is as suflicient to prevent this condensation of mercury therein, thus permitting the use of the highly desirable anode arrangement illustrated.

These sockets are terminals are very simple. in construction and hence are both inexpensive to so produce and extremely reliable in operation.

described my invention by reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not limited thereto, but that various changes, substitutions or omis 35 of the'appended claim, may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention. x

This is a division of my co-pendins iv lication Serial Number 594,115, flied February 19, 1932.

I claim as my invention:

A terminal for an electrical conductor comprising a tubular insulating housing through an opening in one end of which said conductor exterially decrease tends, a threaded sleeve of conducting material I within said housing and aiilxed thereto, a loose fitting contactcollar within said housing and attached to said electrical conductor, said-sleeve having a flange which extends behind said collar and makes an electrical connection therewith, 

